Montagu’s Harrier is only recorded occasionally on Alderney. Visiting Guernsey birder, Vic Froome, found an adult male while on the south coast of Alderney on Tuesday morning.
This was also good fortune for the visiting Speyside tour group, who were in the area at the same time.
Picture, record shot of Montagu’s Harrier by Julian Sykes from Speyside tours.
Following the busy weekend with the Alderney bird race, it came time for migration assistant, Charlotte Foote, to migrate north to her summer grounds, monitoring seabirds in Scotland.
Thank you Charlotte for your hard work, great field observations and photos during your time on Alderney. We hope to welcome you back in the autumn.
As a distraction for Charlotte from packing on Sunday morning, a Golden Oriole was seen on Longis reserve. This is the time of year when these colourful birds pass through Alderney.
Picture: Golden Oriole, by Charlotte Foote.
From dawn to dusk on Saturday four teams of birders drew their binoculars for the annual Alderney bird race.
The Spice-invaders, In it to Linnet, Alderney Ringers and Tweety Pies recorded a combined total of 84 species, the day record currently stands at 85. The Spice-invaders were victorious, recording 78 species to retain the Alderney Puffin for the 4th year. Many thanks to all the teams for taking part.
A few more firsts for the the year during the last few days.
European Serin was seen on Sunday in St Anne’s,
Garden warbler and White Stork on Tuesday, followed by Purple Sandpiper and Reed Warbler this morning.
Thanks to Ingrid Cebertowivz, Meg Speck and Jake Gregory, visiting ringers from the UK, for all your efforts and stories this week, including top tips from Ingrid on dismounting a bicycle!
Photo: Pied Flycatcher by Charlotte Foote.